This port, Greece's third-largest city, is a major terminal for ferries traveling to Italy and the Ionian Islands. Don't go out of your way to see Patras: It's not very interesting, especially when compared with the rest of Greece. There are a few sights, however, if you have some time before your ferry leaves. Visit St. Andrew's Cathedral, the picturesque Byzantine fortress and Psila Alonia, a beautiful square near the cathedral. Locals are especially proud of the 1.8-mi-/3-km-long Rio-Antirio cable-stayed bridge, spanning the Gulf of Corinth to link
Rion (on the Peleponnese) to
Antirion (on mainland Greece). Patras can easily be seen in one full day.
The beach town
Rion (reached in about 15 minutes from Patras via public transportation) is one of several resorts in the area. Take a day trip, traversing the Rio-Antirio bridge, to
Messolonghi, on the edge of an enchanting lagoon. Messolonghi's main attraction is the Park of the Heroes, which commemorates the Greek war of independence (an 1821-30 struggle against the Turks). The park also has a statue of the English poet Lord Byron, who died in Messolonghi fighting for Greek independence (his heart is buried under his statue). If you're driving, take the coastal highway between Patras and Corinth and wander through the fishing villages—Akrata, Platanos, Egion and Lambiri are possibilities.
105 mi/170 km west of Athens.